Frequently Asked Questions

Call us at (805) 946‑1799 or use the online appointment request form. We make every effort to see new patients as soon as possible, but Dr. O'Carroll's schedule fills quickly, so we recommend requesting an appointment as early as you can to get on the list. Please bring your insurance card, a photo ID, and a list of current medications to your first visit.

Yes. We prioritize acute injuries - fractures, significant sprains, wounds, and sudden severe pain. Call our office immediately for same-day or next-day urgent appointments. For true emergencies, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Select follow-up visits and consultations may be conducted via telehealth. Initial visits and any evaluation requiring a physical exam require an in-person appointment. Ask our staff when scheduling whether your visit qualifies.

We accept Medicare, Medi-Cal, VA, most major PPO plans (Blue Shield, Anthem, Aetna, United Healthcare, Humana), and physician networks including Coastal Communities Physicians Network (CCPN) and Physicians Choice of SLO. Insurance participation changes - always verify your specific plan is accepted when scheduling.

Absolutely. We offer transparent self-pay rates and can discuss payment arrangements. Many patients without insurance or with high deductibles choose to pay out-of-pocket. Call us to discuss your options before your visit.

For most PPO plans and Medicare, no referral is required. If you have an HMO plan, you may need a referral from your primary care physician. Check your specific plan, or call us - we can help clarify before you schedule.

Lapiplasty® is a patented 3D bunion correction procedure that addresses the root cause of bunions - an unstable joint in the midfoot - rather than just shaving the bump. Traditional surgery cuts and shifts the bone; Lapiplasty® rotates the entire tilted metatarsal bone back into its correct position and permanently secures the unstable joint. The result: a 3D correction with a lower recurrence rate and, for most patients, earlier weight-bearing than traditional approaches.

Recovery varies by procedure. With Lapiplasty®, most patients are walking in a boot within days of surgery (instead of weeks off their feet). Full return to regular shoes typically takes 3–6 months depending on the individual. Traditional bunion surgery has a similar overall timeline but usually requires longer non-weight-bearing. Dr. O'Carroll will give you a personalized recovery plan during your consultation.

Most cases of plantar fasciitis respond to non-surgical treatment: stretching protocols, activity modification, supportive footwear, custom orthotics, and in some cases cortisone injections or shockwave therapy. Approximately 90% of patients improve without surgery. For persistent cases that don't respond to conservative care, surgical plantar fascia release is highly effective. Dr. O'Carroll will recommend the right approach based on how long you've had symptoms and what you've already tried.

Diabetes impairs circulation and nerve function, making the feet especially vulnerable. Wounds that would heal quickly in a healthy person can become chronic and infected in a diabetic patient. Without prompt, expert wound care, these infections can progress rapidly - sometimes to the point of threatening limb preservation. Dr. O'Carroll specializes in advanced wound care and limb salvage; early evaluation is critical.